VISITORS to Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island can get a close-up view of its spectacular seabird colonies from next week.
Rathlin Island is home to around just 150 residents, but in spring and summer the population explodes as tens of thousands of seabirds come ashore and nest on the craggy cliff stacks.
The RSPB's Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre offers great views of the seabirds as well as the scenery and will re-open on April 1.
Visitors to the island can also explore the unique 'upside-down' west lighthouse for the first time after it was restored to give an idea of what island life was like in years gone by.
Alison McFaul from the Seabird Centre, said: "The seabirds have already started to arrive and we've been enjoying some beautiful spring weather - there's nowhere on earth like Rathlin on a sunny day.
"We have an amazing team on hand to help visitors get the most from their experience, whether it's helping them identify different birds, or telling them all about the history of the lighthouse."
The Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre is open from April 1 to September 17. For further information please visit www.rspb.org.uk/rathlinisland
